Is type 1 diabetes hereditary (passes on in families)? Will my other children get it?
We know that certain genes put people at a greater risk of developing type 1 diabetes but that is not the only factor involved. Scientists are also investigating the environmental factors that may play a role.
We can’t tell you whether your other children will develop type 1 with any certainty, although there are screening tests that can test for the antibodies that increase the risk of a child developing type 1.
Your diabetes team should be able to signpost you to the relevant research studies.
What’s the treatment for Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 Diabetes is treated by putting a synthetic insulin into the body, either using an insulin pen or insulin pump.
If your child is using an insulin pen, they will inject long-acting insulin once a day, in the morning or evening which releases over a 24-hour period (known as basal insulin). They will also use a fast-acting insulin to cover the glucose they eat and drink during the day (known as bolus insulin).
If your child uses an insulin pump, they will only use fast-acting insulin but this will be given as a continuous infusion through their pump 24 hours a day. The pump will need to be instructed to give the ‘bolus dose’ for all meals containing carbohydrates.
Is there a cure for type 1 diabetes?
There is no cure for type 1 diabetes yet, but various organisations are funding research across the world in the race to make type 1 diabetes a thing of the past.
How do you manage type 1 diabetes?
In very simple terms, you and your child will need try and keep the amount of glucose in your child’s blood from going too high (called a hyper) or too low (called a hypo).
This means that you will have to measure your child’s glucose levels to see how much insulin you need to inject, to help get that balance.
There are different ways to measure glucose levels. Your child will also be given a blood glucose meter when they’re first diagnosed, which takes a reading from a drop of blood that you draw from their finger.
They may also be given a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) at diagnosis or shortly after. This is a sensor that is attached to the upper arm. This sensors senses the subcutaneous glucose at regular intervals and gives you trends of high or low glucose readings.
What can my child eat?
Children with Type 1 Diabetes don’t have to follow any specific diet. What’s important is that you know how many carbohydrates are in the food they’re eating, so you can give them the right amount of insulin. This is known as carb counting.
This may seem daunting, but over time it can become second nature, especially if your child has favourite foods they eat often. The dietitian in your diabetes team will be supporting you with this.
Who do I go to for help?
You should have regular appointments with your child’s Diabetes Healthcare Team which is made up of healthcare professionals who will help you manage different aspects of your child’s Type 1 Diabetes. You can also contact them between appointments if you have any questions or concerns.
It’s good to connect with other parents who have children with Type 1 Diabetes because they will understand what you are going through and will be able to share their experience, help and advice.
Can my child still go to pre-school, school and university with Type 1 Diabetes?
Yes, they can. It takes a little bit of extra preparation and planning, but by working in partnership with the school and your Diabetes Healthcare Team, your child will be supported through their school years, and their Type 1 Diabetes will not impact their education and enjoyment of school.
Can my child become unwell with diabetes?
Too many children and young people are not diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes until they are in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) a life-threatening condition that requires urgent medical attention.
If for some reasons your child’s diabetes is not well controlled and the blood glucose readings are running very high, there is a risk of them developing DKA. Any vomiting is a child should raise suspicion of raised ketones (DKA) and not ignored as simple gastroenteritis.
Always contact your local diabetes team for more information.
